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Gene's Fine FoodUnion, SC

Krekel's CustardMount Zion, IL

Gene's Fine Food was once a drive-in but now focused on indoor dining. The restaurant started out as a Little Mint location. It has been Gene's since around 1962. The chicken head has been installed on this 1969 Dodge pick-up since the mid-1970s. It features a voicebox to make clucking sounds. There was a tail in back until at least 2007. However, the tail was missing when I took this photo in 2009. For more, see this website. [map]

This Krekel's Custard chicken car is a modified 1970 Cadillac. The local chain had four cars like this. There was supposed to be another Chicken Mobile at Krekel's Decatur, IL location but it was not there in 2009 when I went to check on it. These photos are from 2009. A Google Street View map from 2012 shows two of the cars there then. This Mount Zion location also features a cow on their roof. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Larz Chicken Shack Freeport, IL

The Larz Chicken Shack no longer exists but this rooster-topped Cadillac is still parked in town. I'm not sure if this car still runs. It might have originally been used by Krekel's Custard (see above). There used to be a giant rooster statue at Larz Chicken Shack as well. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Chicken CadillacFarmington, MO

This Chicken Cadillac is parked at Blackwell Motors which has several elephant statues and a couple of bull statues as well. The paint job on this car suggests it may have come from Krekel's (see above). [map]

Chicken CadillacBandera, TX

This Chicken Cadillac is parked in front of a Church's Chicken restaurant. It was previously located in Kerrville, TX. The car is a 1977 Cadillac Coupe De Ville. [map]

This Chicken El Camino has been parked at Cookin' From Scratch since at least 2006. [map]

CITGO stationIrvington, AL

These Roosters are installed at a CITGO gas station which features Ms. Billie's Chester Fried Chicken. These statues have been here since at least 2006. The car is an early 1970s El Camino. [map]

Indy ChickenIndianapolis, IN

2010:

2012:

The Indy Chicken was created by Orval "Ducky" Love in the 1970s. Love had a car rental business called "Love Rent a Bent Car". He bought the chicken from a fried chicken restaurant which was using the statue on top of its delivery vehicle. Love installed the chicken on the roof of a hearse and began renting it out as a party wagon. Soon, Love had a small fleet of vehicles with statues on their roofs. These statues included a pig, a duck, two other chickens, a clown, and a birthday cake. I believe the business closed sometime in the 1980s. The Indy Chicken car was sold and rarely driven. In 2007, the car was used during the "Bart Lies" campaign to defeat Mayor Bart Peterson. In 2010, the interior of the car was damaged in a fire. An Indianapolis police officer was arrested for setting this fire and several others in town. The chicken was not damaged and was moved inside the owner's store, Antiques on the Corner (photos above). In 2011, the owner reinstalled the chicken on a new vehicle which is used as a limousine service. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [map]

Chicken LimoIndianapolis, IN

The Chicken Limo was inspired by the Indy Chicken. John Barker, the chauffeur and business owner, had this car made in 2007. He is considering expanding to Tampa, Scottsdale and Los Angeles. For more, see these websites: 1. 2, and 3.

S.S. Juan PolloSan Bernardino, CA

2013:

2008:

2013:

The S.S. Juan Pollo is located at Juan Pollo's corporate headquarters which doubles as a McDonald's museum. Apparently, the rooster is sometimes replaced with these Bugs Bunny, Sylvester the Cat, and Tasmanian Devil statues. There is also a giant rooster inside the McDonald's museum here (second row above). For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [second row photo from 2008 thanks Glenda Campbell] [map]